PM Narendra Modi criticised Kumaraswamy for his statement even as Kumaraswamy clarified the context in which he had made the statement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy engaged in a war of words after PM Modi criticised Kumaraswamy for his remark about Indian Army personnel where he had said that those who don’t get a square meal join the army and become jawans.

A 15-second video clip of Kumaraswamy’s statement was shared by BJP’s state unit and the same statement was referenced by PM Modi in his speech during a rally in Koppal on Friday. 

“It is shocking to know a Chief Minister’s thinking is so low to say those who don’t get a square meal a day join the Army and not the rich. What else can people expect from such a leader? By using such words, Kumaraswamy has insulted our patriotic soldiers who sacrifice their life to protect the country,” PM Narendra Modi said, addressing a rally in Koppal on Friday.

After the comment sparked a controversy, Kumaraswamy had clarified that the video had been cut short to create a false implication and shared the full video clip of his speech. 

In response, Kumaraswamy had shared a longer 1:08 clip describing the context in which he made the statement. He said, ” A youth like Guru has lost his life in a bomb blast under the rule of Narendra Modi and his family is suffering and we are hurt by this and not due to the Pakistan air strike. As a nation-lover, have you given emphasis to the nation? What about the poor families who are crying today? People who guard our borders are not children of rich. Because they don’t have food to eat, ultimately some youth join armed forces and the PM is playing with their lives,” he had said.

In his previous election rally in Karnataka, PM Modi had asked if the Chief Minister has his vote bank in India or Pakistan.

Agencies

The Box off-loaded from Helicopter of PM contained security apparatus: Police
Chitradurga, Karnataka, Apr 13 : Clearing the doubts over the off-loading a box from a Helicopter traveled by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his election visit to the District on April 9, had contained equipment belonging to the security personnel who accompanied him, District Superintendent of Police Dr K Arun, clarified on Saturday.
In a statement here on Saturday, the District Police Chief informed that the box with the security equipment was
off-loaded from the Helicopter and transferred it to another vehicle.
A video clip, showing a huge box was unloaded form Modi traveled Helicopter and shifted to a Car, had gone viral, and largely circulated in the Social media.

Hassan, Apr 13 : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwara demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi to prove his charge made against the Congress-JD(S) coalition government in the State on corruption.
Strongly refuting the charge of the Narendra Modi, that Karnataka government is 20 per cent Commission government, he said that ?Modi should prove his charge made on the State government?.
?Let him come out with the facts and figures on which scheme the State government had received such Commission? he said addressing a Press Conference here on Saturday.
Stating that those who were in responsible posts, should not indulge in hurling such false charges, he demanded the Modi to tender an apology for making baseless allegations.
Maintaining that the coming General elections are very much crucial for the future of the nation, he said that ?We are seeking votes on the basis of our performances and achievements and the response is encouraging?.
Dr Parameshwara urged Modi to come out with a ‘report card’ on the performance of the five year rule of the NDA government at the Center.
?Modi is banking only on stoking emotions and have nothing else to present to the people? he said.

Mysuru, Apr 13 : Denouncing the politics of NDA Government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leaders of the coalition partners asked the voters to give a befitting reply in the Polling to save democracy.
Campaigning in the region has hit a peak with top leaders of the coalition partners taking to the road to battle with their arch rival BJP.
At an election rally held here last night they called for overthrowing the BJP and said that failure to do so would derail democracy.
In his campaign speech, former Prime Minister and JDS supremo H D Deve Gowda reiterated importance of the rank and file and the leadership closing ranks to take on the communal forces to safeguard the Constitution. The progress of BJP, which won 17 seats in the last Lok Sabha elections, has to be halted in the State.
?The coalition government in Karnataka was formed to fight such forces and to prevent them from coming to power again. The coming together of all the leaders of the coalition on a common platform is to send a strong message to the voters of the State,? he added.
He said the Congress and the JD(S) had good support base and strength in the Mysuru-Chamarajanagar belt and appealed to workers of both parties to sink their differences in the larger interest of the country.
In his address, Coordination Committee Chairman and former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the coalition government was formed to prevent communal forces from constituting a government in Karnataka and the same arrangement was at work for the Lok Sabha elections as well. ?We are fighting the BJP not only in Karnataka but across the country, where the Congress has joined hands with regional parties,? he added.
Siddaramiah said the BJP has fielded candidates in 27 out of 28 constituencies and was covertly supporting an Independent candidate Sumalatha Ambareesh in Mandya. The Modi government has instilled fear in the minds of minorities, dalits, farmers.
Stating that Narendra Modi’s 5 year rule came under flak, Siddaramaiah said that demonetisation had led to job loss while the GDP growth rate faltered and declined by 2 per cent as warned by the former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Though the Prime Minister defines himself as a ‘Chowkidar’, he safeguards only the rich like Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya who fled the country after looting it, he said, accusing Modi of being a ‘bhaagidaar’ (complicit) in such loot instead of a ‘Chowkidar’.

“If Modi comes to power for the second term, then the country would be finished,” said Sidhu.

Punjab Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, saying that the country will get finished if he becomes PM for the second term.

“If Modi comes to power for the second term, then the country would be finished,” said Sidhu.

“Where the world is going! China is constructing a rail line under the ocean. America has gone to Mars and is finding for the traces of life there. Russia is building a Robotic Army and you are making ‘Chowkidar’ and that too a thief,” said Sidhu.

Meanwhile, Sidhu praised the Congress, saying that there is no difference between what the party says and what it does.

“There is no difference between what Congress says and what it does. Soon after coming to power the government waived off farmer’s loan here up to Rs 11-15 lakh,” he said.

Nearly 45 percent voter turnout recorded in the Naxal-affected Bastar constituency in Chhattisgarh in the first phase of polling on Thursday.

Chhattisgarh will also vote for the Lok Sabha polls on the second and third phase of polling on 18 and 23 April for 3 and 7 parliamentary constituencies respectively.

Agencies

Many came forward to praise the actor-turned-Congress leader for “not putting up with any misbehaviour”.

Khushu Sundar was widely praised for the act, which many felt was courageous.
NEW DELHI: 

Misogyny can strike any time, and on the stray occasion, get struck back harder.

A video showing actor-turned-Congress leader Khushbu Sundar slapping a man who allegedly misbehaved with her during an election rally has generated a lot of attention on social media. The incident occurred while Ms Sundar was campaigning for her party’s Bengaluru Central candidate, Rizwan Arshad, in the Karnataka capital recently.

The short clip shows the former actor — known for her roles in films likes Annamalai (1992) and Janoo (1985) — jostling through a crowd at the rally. But suddenly, she turns and slaps a man who is then taken away by a policeman.

As the clip went viral, Ms Sundar did not offer any comment of her own but retweeted media reports and some remarks made by her followers. Many came forward to praise her for “not putting up with any misbehaviour”.

“That’s a job well done. Nobody has the right to abuse, and if he does, then he should be punished,” commented one of her followers. Another dubbed her as a “bold lady forever”, and said that she was a “big inspiration for every girl in this critical world”.

Ms Sundar, who makes it a point to back women’s causes, was among the political figureswho supported journalist Priya Ramani in her #MeToo allegations against former Union Minister MJ Akbar. “Finally @mjakbar resigns… one can be an allegation but not all… kudos to the bravehearts who have stood up for the right, silencing the wrong. @priyaramani and all the other women who have stood their ground… this is your victory… Now shouldn’t #MJAkbar give up his #RS seat too?” she had tweeted soon after Mr Akbar quit his cabinet post.

The former actor had joined the Congress in 2014, claiming that it was the only party that “can bring about unity among various castes and creeds”.

Agencies

Maneka Gandhi, the MP from Pilibhit, began her campaign from the Sultanpur seat.

Union Minister Maneka Gandhi is on camera telling a gathering of Muslims in Uttar Pradesh’s Sultanpur, from where she is contesting the national election, to vote for her or else she may not be inclined to be responsive to their requests. “I have already won this election, now it is for you to decide,” said the BJP leader on Thursday.

A three-minute clip of her speech in Sultanpur’s Turabkhani area is being shared on social media.

“This is important. I am winning. I am winning because of the love and support of people. But if my victory is without Muslims, I won’t feel that good. Dil khatta ho jayega (Things will become sour). Then when a Muslim comes to me for work, I think let it be, how does it matter. It’s all give and take, isn’t it? We aren’t all sons of Mahatma Gandhi, are we? (laughter). It’s not that we keep on giving and then losing in the election. This victory will happen with or without you.”

A little later, she also says, “I have already won the elections, but you will need me. This is your chance to lay the foundation. When the election comes and this booth throws up 100 votes or 50 votes, and then you come to me for work we will see…I don’t see any divides, I see only pain, sadness and love. So it is up to you…”

Maneka Gandhi, the MP from Pilibhit, began her campaign from the Sultanpur seat about 10 days ago. The seat is currently held by her son Varun Gandhi. But this election, Varun has shifted back to Pilibhit, a seat he won in 2009. Maneka Gandhi has won the Pilibhit seat six times.

Last week, Maneka Gandhi waded into controversy when she described BSP supremo Mayawati as a “merchant of tickets” and accused her of taking Rs. 15-20 crore from those who wanted to be chosen as her party’s candidates.C

“Everybody knows Mayawati sells party tickets and even her party members take pride in telling this. She has 77 houses and residents of those houses say with pride that Mayawati takes Rs. 15-20 crore either in diamonds or in cash,” she was quoted as saying by news agency on Wednesday.

Agencies